Albuquerque, N.M. (June 17, 2014) – The US Youth Soccer Region IV Championships continued today at the New Mexico Tournament Soccer Complex in Albuquerque, N.M. More than 200 games have been played in the first two days and tomorrow’s action will decide who stays alive to advance to the knockout rounds.

Teams that earned their way to the US Youth Soccer Region IV Championships are not only competing for a regional title and a chance to move on to the US Youth Soccer National Championships, but players are also showcasing their talents in front of college coaches.

The top 237 boys and girls US Youth Soccer teams from 14 State Associations that make up US Youth Soccer Region IV are competing for the regional title where winners of the Under-13 through Under-19 age groups earn a berth to the 2013 US Youth Soccer National Championships July 22-27, at Maryland Soccerplex in Germantown, Md.

Notes from a few of today’s games…

Local teams from Albuquerque, N.M. have held their own in the first two days of group play. Under 17 Girls, Rio Rapids SC 97 Zia (NM) has already qualified for the quarterfinals round as they sit atop their pool with a 2-0 record. Rapids won in convincing fashion yesterday against ETFC 96 Impact (OR) 7-1 as Amelie Bierle netted a hat trick while Lauren Milliet added two goals of her own. In today’s game, Rapids defeated Northwest Nationals 96 Red (WA) 2-0 with goals coming from Jasarra Baca and Jordyn Lacy. New Mexico Rush 96 (NM) has also guaranteed a spot in the quarterfinals in the Under 18 Girls bracket with two 3-2 victories in as many days. Yesterday New Mexico Rush defeated La Roca Premier AB (UT) due to Jordi Harris’ goal sandwiched in between a pair of goals from Claire Lynch. Today, Rush defeated Lamorinda United 95 (CA-N) with Murphy this time having a goal in the middle of a pair from Zoie Hensley.

Under 18 Boys Rio Rapids SC Reds (NM) finds itself in a comfy position at the top of their pool after a 3-0 victory against LVSA 96 White (NV) as Brian Lopez, Corey Carabajal and Justin Hix all found the back of the net in a span of seven minutes. Rapids needs only a tie tomorrow against defending Region IV Champions Santa Clara Sporting 95 (CA-N) to secure a spot in the quarterfinals.

Six former US Youth Soccer National Champions were in action today as well and one team has already secured a spot in the quarterfinal round. 2012 National Champion Legends FC (CA-S) secured their spot in the quarterfinals with a 2-0 victory in the Under 17 Girls age group. Mikayla Flores put Legends up 1-0 in the 38th minute, and Desarae Felix added an insurance goal in the 55th minute.

Defending region and national champions, Legends FC 99 (CA-S) and Eastside FC 98 Red were also in action on the girl’s side. Legends FC faced off against Arsenal Colorado Gold 99/00 (CO) in the Under 14 Girls age group and the match ended in a scoreless draw. Under 15 Girls Eastside FC 98 got out to an early lead against Pride SC Predators 99 (CO) thanks to goals from Laura Roberts in the 13th minute and Alexa Kirton in the 33rd minute, but Pride Predators responded with Athena Kuehn scoring seven minutes after Kirton, and Hannah Burgo netting the game’s final goal in the 44th minute to end the match in a 2-2 draw.

Under 15 Boys Pateadores San Diego (CA-S) looked as if it could be victims of an upset after going down 1-0 to Idaho Rush (ID) in the 60th minute thanks to a goal from Gerreson Spencer. However, after a variety of scoring opportunities, Pateadores responded with the equalizer in the 75th minute when Angel De Leon’s cross from the left flank found Christopher DePetro’s head for the point blank goal. Two-time defending national and region champ Santa Barbara SC defeated Alum Rock Impact (CA-N) 3-0 with Brandon Sanchez, Jules Pasco and Dennis Cole all getting on the board.

2011 and 2012 National Champions, Fullerton Rangers 96 White (CA-S) defeated Hawaii Rush 97 (HI) 3-0. Andrew Guerrero scored his second goal in as many games in the 27th minute when he found himself receiving a pass deep in the box before turning the defender and capitalizing. Ricardo Ruiz and Damian Resendiz added insurance goals in the 74th and 90th minutes respectively.

The US Youth Soccer National Championships will consist of US Youth Soccer Regional Champions in the Under-13 through Under-19 Boys and Girls age groups as well as the US Youth Soccer National League qualifiers in the Under-15 through Under-18 Boys and Girls age groups to complete the field of 96 teams.

About the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series – The US Youth Soccer National Championship Series provides more than 10,000 teams from US Youth Soccer's 55 State Associations the opportunity to showcase their abilities against the best in the nation while emphasizing teamwork, discipline and fair play. The yearlong competition begins with over 185,000 players in the US Youth Soccer State Championships. These champions and selected wildcard teams, through US Youth Soccer Regional Leagues, advance to compete in one of four the US Youth Soccer Regional Championships. Champions (U-13 through U-19) from each regional event advance to the National Championships. The Under-14 through 18 Boys and Girls age groups have four teams representative of the US Youth Soccer National League, in which the top four teams in each gender age group earn a direct path to the national championships. Overall the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series provides the nation's top collegiate coaches with the premier stage to identify and scout the most coveted players in the country.

Media Request: When referring to the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series, the most prestigious event in youth sports, please refer to the event as US Youth Soccer National Championship Series on first reference and National Championship Series on anything thereafter. Never refer to as NCS or USYS NCS. We appreciate your cooperation.

About the United States Youth Soccer Association (US Youth Soccer) – US Youth Soccer - "The Game for ALL Kids!®" is the largest youth sports organization in the country and largest member of the United States Soccer Federation, the governing body of soccer in the United States. US Youth Soccer registers more than 3 million players annually, ages 5 to 19, and over 900,000 administrators, coaches and volunteers in 55 member State Associations. US Youth Soccer programs provide a fun, safe and healthy environment for players at every level of the game. For more information, visit www.USYouthSoccer.org.

Media Request: When referring to the United States Youth Soccer Association, the largest youth sports organization in the United States, please refer to the association only as US Youth Soccer, and never as USYS or USYSA. We appreciate your cooperation.